The acute immune-mediated polyneuropathies are classified under the eponym Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), after the authors of early descriptions of the disease. GBS is a heterogeneous condition with several variant forms. Most often, GBS presents as an acute monophasic paralyzing illness provoked by a preceding infection.

GBS is thought to result from an immune response to a preceding infection that cross-reacts with peripheral nerve components because of molecular mimicry. The immune response can be directed towards the myelin or the axon of peripheral nerve, resulting in demyelinating and axonal forms of GBS. (See "Guillain-Barré syndrome: Pathogenesis", section on 'Mechanisms'.)

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World Health Organization. Identification and management of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the context of Zika virus. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204474/1/WHO_ZIKV_MOC_16.4_eng.pdf?ua=1 (Accessed on October 03, 2016).